ASTRAL REFLECTIONS BY TIM STEPHENS JANUARY 4 - 10, 2009 All times/dates are PST. VIRGO, January 5, 2009 to January 17, 2010, brings you luck in work, health, service trades, and with dependents and tools. This is a great time to increase your earnings via longer hours, to collect overtime pay or "moonlight." However, you'd be wiser to aim for a pay raise than overtime, as the former will yield benefits over the years to come, rather than just for this year. (I know that's easier said than done, in this economic climate.) New employment beginnings are luckily emphasized, but you might face the end of one job before you can grasp a bigger, better one. So if you are laid off, consider it a blessing in disguise; let it spur you to search for the job you've always wanted. (Forestry, agriculture, horticulture, food and shelter industries such as real estate, food processing, furniture or diaper factories, childcare, teaching, etc., are now fertile fields for your talents.) Home repairs and do-it-yourself projects will draw you. Parents face a splendid time to set up children's health, future schooling, etc. This is a splendid time to buy machinery or tools of any kind, from pencils to excavators. You'll find that supplies are plentiful, therefore cheap. Jupiter, the planet bringing you all this luck, is not always lucky. It can sometimes merely mean "expansion" - so guard your health in 2009, as any ailments might grow quickly. Especially guard your digestive system and hips and thighs. 2009 might put you on an employment plateau that lasts for over a decade! LEO, your luck in 2009 (to January 17, 2010) focuses primarily on relationships. If single, you can meet your perfect mate - someone cheerful, lucky, attractive, and wise. (Or at least, in a wise phase of their life. No guarantees here!) Married or single, you'll meet lucky, optimistic people who would make great partners and associates, whether for a short interval, or forever. Almost all your luck in 09 will come through the good graces of others, so be diplomatic, eager to join, loving, forgiving - and use the salesperson's technique of accenting another's desires over your own. This splendid luck in relations - perhaps the highest of your life - also includes contract negotiations, agreements, dealings with the public, fame, politics and competitive sports. Your very "environment" is lucky - so get out and seek success. It's a perfect year to relocate - near or far. If you're in an unhappy relationship, in business or marriage, this influence can bring a final split. But even this is an improvement! For most of 2008, you've experienced a bit of turning inward, unconstructive independence, perhaps even a wee bit of self-pity. Drop these now, or you'll chase Lady Luck away! Start Nothing: 6:44 p.m. Sun. to 7:46 a.m. Mon., 10:05 p.m. Tues. to 10:12 a.m. Wed., 10:40 p.m. Thurs. to 10:14 a.m. Fri., and after 8:27 p.m. Sat. Aries March 21-April 19 Redouble ambitious efforts this week and next - you could make an indelible impression on an important person, or put a project over the top. (Actually, by January 9/10, you might sense that an ambitious project or association is ending; that's okay - you'll have accomplished what you needed to.) In 2009, you could be handed career or business rewards seemingly serendipitously. But you will have earned them, with your present and past efforts. You're in charge Sunday. Chase money Monday/Tuesday - luck accompanies you! Communications are easy Wednesday, not Thursday. Taurus April 20-May 20 Your understanding and compassion grow. A sweet, mellow mood wafts over you. For success, pursue learning, far travel, legal, insurance, statistical, scientific, religious, intellectual, philosophical and publishing matters - and love. Your energy's low Sunday, but planning or confidential meetings go well. Your vim and vigor - and charisma - soar Monday/Tuesday. You could attract a person who almost vibrates with desire! (Friday/Saturday, same possibility.) Chase money (or sensual contact) Wednesday, protect it (and avoid intimate topics) Thursday. You might receive career news - but don't start new practical projects before February 1. Gemini May 21-June 20 You might hanker to start an intellectual, far travel, cultural (e.g., wedding) legal, or similar project - but DON'T begin such before February 1, as these matters will run into insuperable delays and mistakes until then. (See Taurus' third sentence for a more complete list of what YOU should avoid.) Instead, turn your attention to larger finances (debt, investments) sexual desires, intimate situations, mysteries, research, health needs, and potential lifestyle changes - these have started to heat up, and will march forward this week and next. Protect against rashes, especially "down there." Cancer June 21-July 22 Relationships trump all else. Others hold the power, and they can present opportunities for you, especially in money and career arenas. (Someone might give you their former position.) Your thoughts drift to deeper zones of relating - intimacy, sexual commitments, business funding, co-investing, etc. But delay entering these zones, as they are about to swarm with second thoughts, delays, mistakes and misunderstandings until January 31. (After this, these deeper areas will burst with luck - all 2009!) Intellectual, cultural and travel affairs enjoy a mild, affectionate luck now through January. Leo July 23-Aug. 22 Tackle chores. Your mind wants to run instead to other places, prospective projects and loves, new opportunities - but right now these are an escape. They won't be fleshed out, solid and lucky until February 1 onward. (And then, they will form 2009's luckiest direction.) Before February, these opportunities, relationships and relocation urges lead only to delays and mistakes. Be patient - work hard to complete outstanding chores, so you'll have the freedom to pursue those February openings. Be thoughtful Sunday, ambitious Monday/Tuesday. Social joys fill Wednesday. Renew family affections Friday/Saturday. Virgo Aug. 23-Sept. 22 Romance, pleasure forays, beauty, creative and speculative urges continue. Charge ahead, all's fine. A wee bit of guilt might tempt you to consider burying yourself in work, or someone might lay new duties on your shoulders. In both cases, complete rather than start work projects, as a period of mistakes and delays will bedevil any ventures begun in January. (Do NOT buy any machinery before February.) Others begin to treat you with unexpected affection and graciousness, and one special person lights your sensual desires! Be brave, open and assertive. Libra Sept. 23-Oct. 22 The general emphasis lies on home, property, family, security, retirement, gardening, agriculture, soul, stomach, nutrition, digestion - and "hibernation." A clever person (perhaps a Gemini) might attract your attention, and spark tender romantic feelings. Listen, Libra, 2009 is a huge year for romance - but what's developing now is too early (or the wrong person is in your sights). Wait until February, when love will flow unimpeded. January might bring an old flame - but only as an expression, perhaps, of your need for emotional security. That's not a good basis for love. Scorpio Oct. 23-Nov. 21 The accent lies on communications, paperwork, short trips, casual friends and curiosity. A wee romantic streak sweetens your days all January. You might begin thinking about your family, your children's future, real estate, a building or landscape project, etc. - these will be tremendously lucky throughout 2009, but starting them in January would trigger a series of delays, mistakes and indecision. Wait until February onward. Use January to seek information, research, talk to your spouse or agencies that might be involved, etc. DON'T invest Wednesday/Thursday. Gentle love, enlightenment hover Friday/Saturday. Sagittarius Nov. 22-Dec. 21 Chase money. Make major purchases now, or wait until February 1 onward. (The interim features lemons and "price mistakes".) More money than usual will flow your way all January. Great, but bank it, or you could end poorer than you started. Your home life improves. You're beginning to feel a little restless, and might envision taking a short adventurous trip. But your ideas about this (or any) trip will change over the month ahead, partly due (as late January will show) to budgetary considerations. Friday/Saturday bring a "secret climax." Capricorn Dec. 22-Jan. 19 You're still in charge - of others, of your fate, of your life's general direction. This month, your energy, effectiveness and charisma hit a yearly high; your sexual magnetism, determination and executive abilities hit a two-year high! Recent (2008) losses were merely blasts to blow off the suffocating crusts you had accumulated. Soon, by February, you'll run in the direction of new success. Until then, grab an old money source, but ignore new money ventures/inspirations. They'd meet delay and loss, and cause self-doubt. Huge financial luck awaits those who wait! Aquarius Jan. 20-Feb. 18 Continue to rest, lie low, contemplate and plan. Be charitable; seek spiritual knowledge and comfort. Deal with government agencies, institutions, advisors and therapists. You're entering one of the luckiest years of your life, but these first 18 days of it demand a quiet, sober look, a revitalizing rest and a deep breath, before you launch yourself into your bright future. (Truth be told, you should avoid any new ventures, projects, directions or, especially, relationships/romance until February 1 onward. Before then, old or former loves, projects, etc., can be winners. But be sure!) Pisces Feb. 19-March 20 Your social life expands - take advantage. Link up with serious people who want to investigate life, truth, and such things - you'll value these associations in the months ahead. Your hopes rise about a money situation, perhaps due to an encouraging person. You shine with grace and charm all January, so don't be surprised if you attract a come-on. Thoughts of retreat, of rest and quiet research tempt you, but don't actually engage in such until at least January 19, or, better, February 1 onward. Romance, winning risks visit Friday/Saturday! www.astralreflections.com. Email: timstephens@shaw.ca. For a reading: 604-261-1337. /30/